KUALA LUMPUR: Political experts gave their thumbs up to the newly minted Malaysia MADANI slogan which was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today.
While the agenda aimed to instil positive values, they said it also came with a challenge on how the idea will be executed.
Political analyst Dr Ainul Adzellie Hasnul said that the prime minister introduced something different from his predecessor with the acronyms in Madani.
MADANI is the Malay acronym for SCRIPT, which stands for sustainability, care and compassion, respect, innovation, prosperity, and trust.
"This is a good concept as he wants to raise more innovative and creative individuals to be on par with other developed countries such as Japan, Germany or the US.
"The Respect in Madani also speaks the truth as Anwar wants to foster mutual respect among Malaysians of different generations.
"The same can also be said for leaders to set a good example for those working under them. It is something that we want to be heeded by the people," he told New Straits Times.
Ainul said that the concept also includes elements that were introduced by previous Prime Ministers.
"Anwar is realistic. He puts these values as something that we must achieve like a key performance indicator or benchmark in order to have a Madani community.
"This agenda emphasises on inclusivity as Anwar mentioned that he wants to stop physical developments such as skyscrapers, but focus on spiritual development of every individual.
"Despite it having an Arabic name, the slogan is a thorough concept to which everyone can contribute to as a whole."
He added that Madani is a holistic and convincing approach that crosses language, race and religion.
"I can see that there will be forums, seminars or maybe institutions on Malaysia Madani for people to understand the concept better," he said.
Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow Dr Azmi Hassan said that the concept can see a bigger picture when it contributes to the people.
"Whatever the current administration is initiating, regardless of whichever sector, the end goal must be for the people's prosperity.
"For example when Anwar mentioned the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), that touches on economic growth which he said does not reflect the well-being of people.
"This is true because, for example, if our GDP increases to eight per cent, the people are not on the receiving end of the growth. That is not the concept of Madani," he said.
Azmi added that the poverty line that solely relies on household income does not reflect the true situation experienced by the people.
"There are also other aspects such as education or food assistance that the household receives, as mentioned by Anwar, also relates to the people's living.
"So, it needs to be widened on what is being shown in the poverty line. Whatever is being done must envision an end goal - the people. This is the concept of Madani introduced by Anwar."
He also described the prime minister as being in the driver's seat, knowing what to do and what to instruct his ministries.
"For example, two weeks after his appointment as the Prime Minister, he requested inputs and ideas on how to execute targeted subsidies.
"Although it is difficult, he knows that it needs to be done," he said.
Fellow at the Institution of Malay Rulers Chair, Universiti Teknologi Mara Mujibu Abdul Muis said that the government must find a way to translate the six concepts introduced into the government policies and initiatives.
"People might not see it as something impactful and assume that it is just another political rhetoric as how the previous Prime Ministers introduced their concept or approach.
"The idea of Malaysia Madani is to be expected from Anwar as an approach in his administration as he has often mentioned this previously.
He said the implementation method should start with a leadership through example starting with the cabinet and public
administration.
"This will give more meaning and a good starter before introducing the concept to the whole community," he said.